PYRUS. 2S5 



existing between the cellular tissues of the apple and pear, founds their distinction 

 in the absence or presence of those stony concretions wliich are to be met witli in 

 the pear. These concretions he attributes to the aggregation of little globules, 

 which by degrees become clogged with an indigestible matter, confusedly depos- 

 ited in molecules, from which they receive their opaqueness, hardness, and colour. 

 This genus, according to De CandoUe and Loudon, may be classified under 

 eight sections, all the species of which may be propagated from seeds, and by 

 grafting or budding on the wild varieties of each division. The sections and the 

 most important species contained in them, we will briefly notice as follows : 



1. Pyrophorum, characterized by flat, spreading petals; five distinct styles; 

 pome more or less top-shaped, or sub-globose, without a cavity at the base ; sim- 

 ple umbelled pedicels ; and simple leaves, without glands. This section compre- 

 hends all the pears, properly so called, and besides the Pyrus communis, and all 

 its varieties, it includes the Chinese pear, (Pyrus sinensis,) which, according to 

 Dr. Lindley, differs from the common pear, in having longer and greenish branches, 

 larger, more lucid, and almost evergreen leaves ; insipid, apple-shaped, warted, 

 and very gritty fruit ; and a calyx, destitute of down within. The tree is orna- 

 mental, and perfectly hardy ; but as a fruit-tree, it is worthless. It also includes 

 the Bollwyller pear, (Pyrus bollwylleriana,) a very distinct variety, with large, 

 rough leaves, resembling those of the apple, with small, turbinate, orange-yellow 

 fruit, unfit to eat; the notched-leaved pear, (Pyrus crenata,) native of Nepal, 

 growing to an elevation of nine or twelve thousand feet above tlie level of the 

 sea, and approaches to Pyrus bollwylleriana; but its leaves are crenated instead 

 of being serrated, and its flowers are more numerous ; and the variable-leaved 

 pear, (Pyrus variolosa.) likewise a native of Nepal, distinguished by ovate, acu- 

 minated, crenate, glabrous leaves, in the adult state, situated on long petioles, but 

 when young, clothed with yellowish tomentum beneath. Its fruit is said to be 

 inedible until it becomes somewhat decayed ; and has the property of remaining a 

 long time on the tree, sometimes even till the flowers appear in the following 

 spring. It forms a very handsome tree, is hardy, of tolerably rapid growth, and 

 is well worthy of a place in every collection. 



2. Mains, characterized by flat, spreading petals ; five styles, more or less 

 strictly connate at the base; pome mostly globose, depressed, and generally 

 having a concavity at its base ; flowers in corymbs ; and simple leaves without 

 glands. This section includes all the apples and crabs, and besides the Pyrus 

 mains and varieties, it comprehends the showy-flowering apple-tree, or Chinese 

 crab, (Pyrus spectabilis.) distinguishable by its semi-double, pale, rose-coloured 

 flowers, the buds of which, before they expand, are of a deep-red. The stamens 

 and pistils are much more numerous than in the other species ; the former some- 

 times exceeding forty and the latter twenty in number. The fruit is small, irreg- 

 ularly round, angular, about the size of a cherry, and when ripe, is of a yellow 

 colour, but without flavour, and is only fit to eat in a state of incipient decay. 

 From the beauty of its flowers in early spring, when but few other trees are in 

 bloom, it is well worthy of cultivation, and no garden, whether large or small, 

 should be without it. 



3. Aria, characterized by flat, spreading petals; from two to three styles; glo- 

 bose pome ; flowers with racemose corymbs, and branched peduncles ; simple 

 leaves, whitoly tomentosc beneath, and without glands. This section compre- 

 hends the white beam-tree, (Pyrus aria,) and its varieties of Europe and Asia, 

 which vary much in a state of culture, and consequently cause great confusion 

 among amateurs and botanists. As a useful and an onuimental tree, the white 

 beam has some valuable properties. Its wood is universally employed on the 

 continent for cogs to the wheels of machinery, and is appropriated to a variety 

 of other uses. From the moderate size of the tree, and the definite shape of its 



